Dear Parents and Carers,

 

The busy theme has continued this week. Year 6 have completed their Leavers’ Song and when you watch it on the website next week, be prepared as it brought a tear to my eye! All classes are completing their topics for the Summer term and for those that have taken place so far, they have enjoyed the Sports Day sessions.

 

Upcoming dates:

Wednesday 14^th July – Outdoor move up session for classes (see information below)

Friday 16^th July – Own Clothes Day (see information below)

Note – all Year 6 leavers’ information has been sent in a separate letter: Y6 parents check your texts for the link.

 

Move Up Sessions for September Classes

Next Wednesday morning we will be having a move up session outside for pupils to meet their teacher for the next school year. Sessions are being held outside in line with recommendations to reduce the risks in line with Covid19.

Reception – Miss Foster (soon to be Mrs Stuart)

Year 1 – Mrs Rayner

Year 2 – Mrs de Lima and Mrs Wright

Year 3 – Miss Chard

Year 4 – Mrs Waugh

Year 5 – Miss Griffiths

Year 6 – Mrs Williams

 

PE Kit UNIFORM – Information for September

Having trialled wearing PE kit to school this year, it has now been agreed with Governors that this is part of our school policy.

As such, when preparing for a new school year, this is the PE kit uniform that is needed for your child’s class PE day from the start of the Autumn term. PE days will be announced in September.

 

For your child’s PE day, the PE school uniform is:

Black shorts OR black joggers / leggings

A plain white t-shirt

A black zip up OR black sweatshirt for when it is colder.

Footwear:

All Foundation Phase pupils will also require black plimsolls (elasticated type, not laces)

All Key Stage 2 pupils will need strong trainers with good grips.

Note – If you have plain black trainers for school shoes, these can also be worn for PE.

 

If you have any concerns about providing this PE uniform for your child for September, please do let us know as we will do our best to support and help you.

 

Parish News – First Holy Communion

We are pleased to congratulate Leon and Filip on receiving their First Holy Communion last week. It was a special day and they made their families and our school proud. Our thanks go to the many catechists that have supported the preparation programmes to enable these special sacraments to still be received in challenging circumstances.

News on the Sacrament of First Reconciliation next week.

 

Own Clothes Day

We will have an own clothes day next Friday (16^th) to round off the school year. We appreciate that we are in challenging times, so only if you are able to, please could you donate  £1 via ParentPay to support our School Fund which is used to contribute to the experiences the children have over the school year.

 

Opportunity to Support – Friends of St Gabriel’s School Lottery

Don’t forget that in these current times where we are unable to hold our usual fundraising events such as the Summer Fayre, please consider signing up to the Friends of St. Gabriel’s School Lottery. It is £1 per ticket and you can set up a direct debit. It is a great way for parents and wider family to support our school when support must happen from a distance.

Please follow this link: https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/st-gabriels-r-c-primary-school

Each week there is a guaranteed winner from the St. Gabriel’s ticket holders – the amount goes up depending on how many tickets are sold!

 

There is also the opportunity for a wider prize draw, across the whole school lottery, which includes an option for a jackpot (£25,000) plus the possibility for fruit and vegetables box for a year.

 

We would really appreciate your support. The money raised by the Friends of St. Gabriel’s is invaluable to our school as it provides many resources that benefit the children.

 

 

REMINDERS FROM PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS ARE BELOW:

 

 

Staff Training Dates for NEXT YEAR

We have currently allocated the following days for staff training:

Thursday 2^nd September

Friday 3^rd September

Friday 3^rd December

Friday 17^th December

School will be closed to pupils on the above days. We have two more days for staff training and will let you know as soon as we have allocated them.

 

Please note that Friday 24^th September is no longer a training day and children should be in school on this date.

 

 

 

When your child is ill

We know that when your child is poorly, and consequently absent from school, there are many things to organise. However, please do remember to text, email or leave a phone message.

In normal times, as part of Welsh Government attendance tracking, we need to know within which category to mark the absence.

In current Covid19 times, this becomes more pressing as we need to account for all absences and to know if we are prepping for a class isolation.

Please do help us by informing us of the reason if your child is not in school including whether or not any Covid19 symptoms are being displayed.

 

Term Dates FOR THIS YEAR

End of Summer term: Friday 16^th July 2021 (as Monday 19^th and Tuesday 20^th is Staff training)

 

For the term dates for the next two years please follow this link: http://www.newport.gov.uk/en/Schools-Education/Schools/Term-Dates.aspx

 

 

 

LOCAL AUTHORITY UPDATE ON COVID19 TESTING

Covid testing for 3 cardinal symptoms

If you identify one or more of the three cardinal symptoms-

• New continuous cough
• High temperature
• Change or loss of sense of taste or smell

You must book a PCR test and you and your family must isolate immediately until you receive the test result, which is usually within 24 hours. If the result is positive, you and your household must self-isolate for 10 days from the date your symptoms started. You will also be contacted by the local Tracing Team. However, if your result is negative, you can end your self-isolation, when you feel well enough to do so.

 

Covid testing for wider symptoms

The Health board in Gwent is now making testing available for those who identify with one or more of the wider symptoms-

• Flu-like symptoms including aching or painful muscles, excessive tiredness, persistent headache, runny nose or blocked nose, persistent sneezing, sore throat and/or hoarseness, shortness of breath or wheezing

If you consider that you or your family need to book a PCR test for wider symptoms, The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board are operating fourteen testing facilities across the region and getting a test is now quick, easy and convenient with results in most cases returned within 24 hours.   Tests can be arranged by phoning 119 or book online: https://gov.wales/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19.

 

If you have one of the wider symptoms then you should stay away from school until receiving your result, which is usually within 24 hours.

If the result is positive, you and your household must self-isolate for 10 days from the date your symptoms started. You will also be contacted by the local Tracing Team. However, if your result is negative, you can return to school or work when you feel well enough to do so.

Asymptomatic testing (no symptoms)

Rapid lateral flow tests are for people who do not have coronavirus symptoms.

In Wales, you can get lateral flow tests for you and your household if:

• you are a volunteer
• you cannot work from home
• you are an unpaid carer

 

Order rapid lateral flow home test kits on GOV.UK. You can order 1 home testing kit (7 tests) at a time. Delivery takes 1 to 2 days.

 

You can also collect testing kits in person. Find your nearest collection point and opening times (on nhs.uk). You can collect 2 home testing kits (14 tests) at a time.

 

You should test twice a week, 3 to 4 days apart. Please report rapid lateral flow test results (on GOV.UK) the day you or someone in your household takes the test.

 

If your test is positive you should book a PCR test within 24 hours of the positive lateral flow test result.

 

If you develop any symptoms you should book a PCR test even if your lateral flow test result was negative.

 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Mrs M Harris

Headteacher